F-1 Race (Famicom)

I’m sorry, but does Formula One actually count as a sport?, I mean, it’s just people driving around for half a day, but if gaming counts as a sport according to America, I guess anything goes. Speaking of a game and Formula One, F-1 Race, developed and published by Nintendo in 1984, it’s as basic as any racing game can get. I’m reviewing the Famicom version and not the Game Boy port, but if I get it and play it, I’ll inform you in an update.

The game features 3 levels of difficulty, level 1 is beginner mode, level 2 for novice and level 3 is easy mode for Japanese gamers. The game features 10 tracks and like every other 80’s game, it starts all over again. It has a time limit so short and strict it literally forces you to not screw up.

The cars have a two-speed manual transmission, HI and LOW. You probably know this is a basic driving game, drive, take tight turns, avoid touching other drivers and WIN, WIN, WIN!!! There’s not much to say about this game other than the fact that it’s nothing special, it’s just generic racing at it classic pixelisation, you won’t miss much as it’s very similar to Namco’s Pole Position.

Did you know? The game resulted in a Grand Prix series sequel which consisted of two games, Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race and Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally, like the first game, it was never released in Japan.

Overall…it’s a basic generic racing game, the graphics haven’t aged well, I don’t care for it unless Japanese gamers have nostalgia for it, but it’s Formula One, and that’s it really.